Two “flying objects” damaged a Japanese tanker owned by Kokuka Sangyo Co in an attack on Thursday in the Gulf of Oman, however there was no harm to the cargo of methanol, the corporate president stated on Friday (Jun 14).
The Kokuka Courageous is now crusing towards the port of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates, with the crew having returned to the ship after evacuating as a result of of the incident, Kokuka President Yutaka Katada advised a press convention. It was being escorted by the US Navy, he stated.
“The crew told us something came flying at the ship, and they found a hole,” Katada stated. “Then some crew witnessed the second shot.”
Katada stated there was no chance that the ship, carrying 25,000 tons of methanol, was hit by a torpedo.
The United States has blamed Iran for attacking the Kokuka Courageous and one other tanker, the Norwegian-owned Front Altair, on Thursday, however Tehran has denied the allegations.
The ship’s crew noticed an Iranian navy ship in the neighborhood on Thursday night time Japan time, Katada stated.